By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive of ensuring inclusive education for the Filipino children, the DSWD continues to sustain the momentum of its Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.
In a media release on Wednesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that it has expanded the scope of this initiative under the Tara, Basa! To the Barrio, in collaboration with Caritas Philippines.
Through this modality, over P1 million in cash grants have been disbursed to 248 program beneficiaries since its pilot implementation in 2025, on top of providing tutorial services to learners in urban poor communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS).
DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations and Program Development Group Edu Punay said of the program’s success, “We are happy that more tutors and more youth development workers are now being part of the Tara, Basa tutoring program after its expansion last. Dito nga lang sa recently launched na Tara, Basa sa Barrio, we successfully gave 1,088,540 pesos para sa year. pa Cash-for-Work at Cash-for- Trainings sa Region 3, Region 4-CALABARZON at NCR.”
The pilot implementation was conducted in Novaliches, Quezon City, as well as in the provinces of Laguna and Bulacan. In the National Capital Region (NCR), a total amount of P111,625 was disbursed for Cash-for-Work (CFW) grants to Parents, while P232,130 was released for CFW and Cash-for-Training (CFT) grants for Tutors and Youth Development Workers (TYDWs).
Meanwhile, Region 3 (Central Luzon) received P470,435 in CFW and CFT grants, and Region 4-A (CALABARZON) had P252,350 for the same purpose.
In Quezon City, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna, a total of 135 beneficiaries comprising 16 tutors, 9 Youth Development Workers (YDWs), 53 parents, and 57 learners received cash assistance, training, and tutorial and parenting sessions.
Meanwhile, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan recorded 113 beneficiaries composed of 15 tutors, 9 YDWs, 44 parents, and 45 learners who also received grants.
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